From Calabasas to Westlake, swimming talent pool runs deep

GET SOME AIR—Senior Michael Ira, shown practicing earlier this week, is a standout sprinter for the Calabasas High boys’ squad. JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers Personal records will be broken again and again.

Sunblock will be on demand.

And high school swimmers will compete for glory.

No local team has a bigger bull’s-eye on its back than the Westlake Warrior girls, who won the 2009 CIF-Southern Section Division 2 championship.

Can they repeat?

“We have a legitimate shot of winning CIF with the crew that we have,” Westlake head coach Todd Irmas said.

The Agoura and Westlake boys will try to unseat defending Marmonte League champ Thousand Oaks. Calabasas’ boys and girls are on an early-season tear.

Viewpoint’s boys nabbed second in the CIF-SS Division 4 final last year and hope for another strong postseason finish.

EYES TO THE SKY—Calabasas’ Leia Marasovich is a top performer for the Coyotes in the 100 backstroke and 500 freestyle. JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers Here is a closer look at the top swimmers from local teams:

Westlake Warriors

It’s no secret: the Warrior girls are favorites to repeat as Marmonte champs because of their talent and depth.

“No one’s going to touch (Westlake) in league this year— again,” Agoura girls’ swim coach Jason Rosenthal said.

Nora Darago leads the way for the Warriors. The senior, who was accepted early to MIT, had top16 finishes at the section meet in the 200-yard freestyle and the 100 breaststroke last season.

Darago is also one of three valedictorians on the WHS roster, along with Iris Yan and Kimberly Ha.

Junior Abigail Puczkowski is a versatile swimmer who excels at sprints, the 100 butterfly and 200 freestyle.

Sophomore Haley Preston is a solid pickup from Notre Dame of Sherman Oak. Irmas said Preston has the potential to win a section title in the 100 backstroke, and she’s also strong in the 200 freestyle.

Freshmen Julia Farfan (200 individual medley and 100 backstroke) and Jane Chen (100 breaststroke) have been impressive in the early going.

Cassidy Lang, who played water polo, shines at the 50 and 100 freestyle sprints.

Irmas hopes the WHS boys can challenge Thousand Oaks.

“It will be tough,” the coach said, “but we’re going to be in the hunt.”

Seniors Tom Ziccardi and Sam Chen propel Westlake. The versatile Ziccardi competes in the 200 freestyle, 200 IM, 100 butterfly and 500 freestyle.

Chen favors the 50 freestyle and the 100 backstroke.

David Sommers, a sophomore, swims the 200 freestyle, 200 IM, 100 butterfly and 500 freestyle.

A solid group of freshmen, including Matt Gordon, Juson Hoo, Sasha Mitrushina, Taylor Neimann and Michael Wen, bolsters the Warrior boys.

Agoura Chargers

Agoura’s boys hope to compete for league supremacy.

“Obviously, every team wants to be successful. For us, we’re just looking to improve,” Charger boys’ coach Dustin Litvak said.

“If we can make a run at the end, that’s great.”

Junior Vatche Kazanjian is as versatile as they come. He swims the 100 butterfly and 100 breaststroke with authority.

Brendan Delear (distance freestyle), Jon Hall (butterfly and backstroke), Ramsey Abdulhamid (sprinter, butterfly and backstroke) are talented seniors.

Abudlhamid’s brother Adam also swims.

Sophomore Sammy Wolfson offers versatility.

Litvak, who guides the boys’ water polo program, last coached the swim team in 2006.

Talented junior Shannyn Hultin leads the girls’ squad. Hultin’s primary events are the 200 and 500 freestyle races, Rosenthal said.

Savannah Fletcher is another versatile talent. Fletcher, a water polo standout, can swim any event. Freshman Claralyse Palmer competes in the 50 and 100 freestyle sprints.

Although first place in the Marmonte may be out of reach, the Chargers should remain competitive.

“We’d like to try for a topthree finish in league,” Rosenthal said. “We want to qualify as many kids for the CIF sectional meets and do the best we can.”

Calabasas Coyotes

The Coyotes are enjoying life in the fast lane.

Calabasas’ girls started 4-0. The boys were 3-1 at press time, including a league win against Moorpark.

Senior Leia Marasovich and junior Lara Hagopian lead the pack for the girls.

Marasovich stands out in the 500 freestyle and the 100 backstroke. Hagopian excels at the 100 butterfly and the 200 freestyle.

Natalie Brown, a senior, is a fine sprinter in the 50 and 100 freestyle races.

Freshman Casey Rakauskaf has already earned an invitation in the diving portion of the section meet.

On the boys’ side, senior Dominic Kirk offers muscle in the 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke. Another senior, Michael Ira, competes in sprinting events.

Freshmen Chandler Lee (200 and 500 freestyle) and Alex Beatty (200 IM and 100 freestyle) infuse Calabasas with young talent. Lee’s brother Steven swims the 100 butterfly and 200 IM, among other events.

“On the guys’ side, I’m hoping for marked improvement,” CHS head coach Dave Hershman said. “We have a little more depth. We’re just young. We have some seniors, but the kids who are coming up could really make a mark eventually.”

Viewpoint Patriots

Viewpoint’s boys lost two key seniors from the outstanding 2009 squad, but the team hopes for big things this season.

Co-head coach Greg Bisheff said he thinks the Patriots have the talent to finish among the top five schools at the section finals.

“It’s fun to coach a team that works really hard and is dedicated to the team and to themselves,” Bisheff said of the boys and girls.

“They want to get better every day.”

Jared Stern is the top returner for the boys’ squad. The senior captain is a fast sprinter who’s a force in the 100 and 200 freestyle.

Isaac Wender (200 IM and 100 breaststroke), Devin Nagendran (100 backstroke and 100 freestyle) and Sean Gunn (IM, butterfly and breaststroke) are solid all-around juniors.

For the girls, Nicole Lotte is a top sprinter in the 50 and 100 freestyle races.

Michelle Germain, Riley Cook and Kayla Mason also contribute on a deep team featuring 38 girls.

Viewpoint’s girls finished ninth at the 2009 section meet. Bisheff hopes they can sneak into the top-five this spring.

Editor’s note: Oaks Christian did not return multiple phone calls for this story.